Interesting comments recently from Indy's Paul George about how past Pacers teams all "had an ego to them" but how this one is "putting the team first." Hard to imagine that the Pacers could find a trade taker for Danny Granger in the next 24 days before the deadline, given that Granger (knee) has missed the entire season so far, but it seems safe to suggest the end of the Granger era in Indy is drawing closer and closer.

That's what I've been suggesting. Both players have out stayed there welcome on their teams. They both need new scenery. The question is which GM is more desperate to get rid of their former franchise player?

Really, I just sighed. Hopefully Casey makes a case to Brian to keep starting Ed, or even to put Amir at the 4 when JV is back. But I know that if he's healthy before he's dealt, we'll have to see him chucking bricks in some major minutes...

According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan has instructed his front office to be aggressive at the trade deadline.

"We’re very active – our owner wants us to be active,’’ team president Bob Higgins told the Observer in regard to the Feb. 21 trade deadline.

Specifically, Bonnell wrote that trades "could range from pursuing a star player, to adding a complementary big man, to facilitating some deal between other teams to acquire a future draft pick."

The Bobs are desperate for a big man, so they may take aim at some potential targets who may well be available like DeMarcus Cousins, Al Jefferson or Andrea Bargnani. The trouble is they don't have much in the way of assets beyond what is sure to be another high draft pick in this year's draft. Perhaps that would be enough to pry Bargnani away from the Toronto Raptors, though:

I found the source of the ESPN Insider article above. This is a part of it which is along the lines of why I don't see Charlotte interested in Bargnani:

Higgins said that by the end of this week he and/or Cho will have spoken with every other NBA front office to gauge interest in making a deal. The Bobcats clearly need frontcourt help, as demonstrated by the 29-rebound deficit – a franchise-worst – they suffered last week in a home loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The Bobcats’ top rebounder this season, power forward Byron Mullens, is out with an ankle sprain. The team used the seventh pick in 2011 on center Bismack Biyombo, who has started 21 of the team’s first 38 games this season.

The Bobcats knew they were drafting a project in Biyombo, whose offensive skills are still quite limited. Still, they expect to see progress from a player drafted so high.

“Biz has to get better. But he’s only 20 years old,’’ said Cho, who was key to scouting and drafting Biyombo.

“We need more help rebounding. For now that has to be by committee. That’s something we’re going to address, whether through the trade deadline or through the draft.’’

Will Andrea Bargnani be traded by the Raptors before the deadline. When he comes back from his injury, will it give both parties enough time to showcase his potential talents?
Chad Ford**(1:15 PM)

If there is a decent offer for Bargnani, I expect the Raptors will take it. They won't give him away, but with how well Ed Davis is playing, he's finally expendable. The issue right now is that I haven't spoken to a GM who is excited about trading anyone on their roster for Bargnani. That's a problem.

Ford did say "...a GM who is excited...". BC doesn't necessarily need to find a GM who's excited at the prospect of trading for Bargnani, merely one who's desperate enough to forego the need for excitement!
;-)

Ford did say "...a GM who is excited...". BC doesn't necessarily need to find a GM who's excited at the prospect of trading for Bargnani, merely one who's desperate enough to forego the need for excitement!
;-)

ha

yes the other silver lining I was trying to delude myself into was draft picks aren't on rosters either.... maybe we can get a few in return.

yes the other silver lining I was trying to delude myself into was draft picks aren't on rosters either.... maybe we can get a few in return.

I'm assuming the GMs were also referring to players they viewed as core roster pieces moving forward, as opposed to fringe players (due to either skill and/or contract). Another potential silver lining, as long as draft picks are included in the return package, I suppose.